Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

  • Home
  • About
    • About Amazing Catechists
    • Patron Saint of Amazing Catechists
    • Donations
  • Topics
    • Art
    • Campus Ministry
    • Catechetics
    • Catechism
    • Catechist Training
    • Catholic Spirituality
    • Church Documents
    • Columnists
    • Culture
    • Elementary School
    • Evangelization
    • Family Life
    • Featured
    • Games
    • General
    • Grief Resources
    • High School
    • Homeschooling
    • Liturgical
    • Mary
    • Middle School
    • Music
    • New Age
    • NFP/Chastity
    • Prayer
    • RCIA & Adult Ed
    • Reader Suggestions
    • Sacraments
    • Scripture
    • Special Needs
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Technology
    • Theology
    • Therapeutic
    • Video
    • Vocations
  • Contributors
    • Alice Gunther
    • Amanda Woodiel
    • Cay Gibson
    • Christian LeBlanc
    • Christopher Smith
    • Deanna Bartalini
    • Dorian Speed
    • Elizabeth Ficocelli
    • Elizabeth Tichvon
    • Ellen Gable Hrkach
    • Faith Writer
    • Father Juan R. Velez
    • Gabe Garnica
    • Jeannie Ewing
    • Jennifer Fitz
    • Justin Combs
    • Karee Santos
    • Lisa Mladinich
    • Marc Cardaronella
    • Maria Rivera
    • Mary Ellen Barrett
    • Mary Lou Rosien
    • Maureen Smith
    • Msgr. Robert Batule
    • Msgr. Charles Pope
    • Pat Gohn
    • Peggy Clores
    • Robyn Lee
    • Rocco Fortunato
    • Sarah Reinhard
    • Steve McVey
    • Tanja Cilia
    • William O’Leary
    • Alex Basile
  • Shop
  • Contact us

The Body Beautiful

By Alex Basile

Every April, I present Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body to my senior classes. The beloved Pope’s teaching on sexuality is perhaps one of the Church’s best kept secrets. I ask the students to mention our current topic to their parents and most return to class explaining that their parents have never heard of the Theology of The Body. But the parents are the least of my problems. I must first sell this teaching of the Church to the students in my class.

Most young people understand and can explain what the Church teaches, but following the teaching becomes a different matter. Society and the media have sculpted its citizens to follow their instincts rather that the Law of the Gift. Karol Wojtyla defined the Law of the Gift as “Man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, can fully find himself only through a sincere gift of himself.” Most people live by the philosophy “If it’s available, I should take all that I can.” We seldom think about the long-term consequences in the world of instant gratification.

Most members of the younger generation rely on physical attraction as they enter each relationship. This sounds normal at first until we realize that they prefer to delve into sexual intimacy before truly coming to know his or her partner. The “hook up” culture has made sexual encounters available at the very beginning of the relationship. They refuse to make commitments until after they have past the point of no return. I recently documented the new dating ritual in my book, The Complete Christian:

“Dating has evolved through the years and it is interesting to see how young people approach this process. My students explain the steps of dating as:

  1. Talking to him or her. Two people test the “waters”. They establish a comfort zone between each other. They text one another and write to each other via the computer. This becomes a period of getting to know a person before there is any discussion of going out together.
  2. Hooking up. This is a purely physical stage of the relationship. The two people are not exclusively in a relationship at this point. During this part of the relationship a person decides whether they are sufficiently attracted to the person.
  3. Being together. The couple does various activities with each other as they enter an exclusive relationship. Although “together”, this stage allows each of the partners to exit the relationship when they feel it is time to move on.
  4. Dating (Going Out). Both people have committed to the relationship. They have reached an “official” exclusiveness in this stage. The world now knows that they are a couple.

The dating ritual of young people today demonstrates their fear of getting hurt. We ease into our relationships because we worry about rejection. Failure to take risks in our relationships can paralyze us.” (The Complete Christian, Basile, St. Paul’s /Alba House

Unfortunately, one of the greatest gifts that God gives us is distorted by many young people because of his or her pursuit of instant gratification or an attempt at shielding themselves from loneliness. His or her sexuality, which should be an incredible exclusive gift to be unwrapped by a future spouse, has been given freely away to basic strangers.

The chastity talk should begin during the grammar school years. Use any opportunity you can to demonstrate the pitfalls of sexual recreation. Teach your students about the boundaries that he or she needs to establish, before an embrace or other passionate moment tempts him or her to squander the gift of their sexuality. Unveil the body as a beautiful gift.

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission. There will be no added cost to you. Thank you!

Read all posts by Alex Basile Filed Under: High School Tagged With: Alex Basile

About Alex Basile

Alexander J. Basile - joined the faculty of Kellenberg Memorial High School in 1996 as a member of the Religion Department. While teaching at Kellenberg, he earned an M.A. from the Religious Education and Religious Studies Program at Fordham University. He currently serves as an assistant to the Chaplain and as the Religion Department Chairman at Kellenberg. Alex has written four books, available at St. Paul’s/Alba House: The Complete Christian: A Guide To Living, Lessons from the Master: Living Like Jesus, Finding Faith in a Godless World: A Catholic Path to God, and The Gentle Road To Jesus: Bringing Christ to Every Classroom and Home. Alex formed the pop/Irish group, The Irish Mist – and together they have performed on the New York music scene since 1990. Alex brought his music experience to Kellenberg and has produced sixteen CDs for Kellenberg’s Saint Cecilia Recording Studio. Alex is married and resides in Lynbrook, New York with his wife Allison and their two children. Alex is available for speaking engagements. He can be contacted directly at: alexbasile21@gmail.com or at website: https://alexbasile.net/www.alexbasile.net/Welcome.html

Search

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Join our email list and get immediate access to the free guide 'High Impact Lesson & Classroom Management Tips'.

Help us to serve the Church by patronizing our affiliates.

FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission. There will be no added cost to you. Thank you!

Sock Religious

That One Sheep Shirts

That One Sheep Shirts

Stickers

Stickers

The Catholic Store

Catholic Bibles

Catholic Bibles

catholic-jewelry

Catholic Religious Jewelry

Holy Heroes

holy-heroes

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2023 Amazing Catechists. · Log in